Review: Absolute Superman #1

Review: Absolute Superman #1
[Editor’s Note: This review may contain spoilers]

Writer: Jason Aaron
Art: Rafa Sandoval
Colors: Ulises Arreola
Letters: Becca Carey

Reviewed by: Matthew B. Lloyd

Summary

A diamond mine in Brazil faces a threat…a strange youth shows up…a distant planet long ago…a husband and wife make a startling discovery about their planet, Krypton.

Positives

The premise of the Absolute Universe is that our heroes have much of what’s familiar stripped away leaving only the basics and they have a greater struggle because the Universe is powered by the energy of Darkseid.  As far as the assignment goes and based solely on the first issues, Absolute Superman #1 is the best of the trio that also includes Absolute Batman #1 and Absolute Wonder Woman #1.  Jason Aaron makes some changes to the Man of Steel, but he also takes it further back and presents a world that does feel darker and harsher and suggests a Darkseid influence, something neither Absolute Batman or Absolute Wonder Woman has done.

Aaron introduces readers to a Krypton that is different from what we are familiar with.  The “S” symbol is now part of a caste system worn by manual laborers.  The destruction of Krypton has some different elements.  In the diamond mine we meet the “Peacemakers” who are the heavies that keep the miners in line, even when it’s unethical and dangerous for them to continue working.  This whole bit feels very reminiscent of the mines on Apokolips.

Positives Cont’d

Perhaps, the most insightful bit of connective tissue is the notion that this Superman will embody the original social justice aspect of the character, the hero who fought for the underdog in the final days of the Great Depression.  As Superman fought for Evelyn Curry an innocent convicted of murder in Action Comics #1 who had no one else to fight for her and a battered wife, in Absolute Superman #1 this Superman fights for miners who have no one else to fight for their rights.  Superman has changed a lot over the years as he has become more aligned with the establishment, but this is how Superman started.

If this Superman is to face a harder challenge, be an underdog, the revelation of Lois Lane at the end of the issue points to a truly compelling difference.  Will Lois be an adversary instead of ally?  It begs the question for the other Absolute titles, as well.  If it is truly going to be more difficult for these Absolute Universe characters then it would make sense for their traditional allies to become adversaries.  Will Jim Gordon never befriend Batman and will Gordon be part of the police and political corruption in Gotham?  Will Steve Trevor hunt Diana instead of becoming friend and lover?  Will this Lois Lane be the adversary?  Now those are compelling ideas for a different universe that is MORE difficult for heroes, a universe that is powered with Darkseid energy.  So far Absolute Superman is the only of these titles to find this aspect and make it believable.  It’s not really present in the other two.

Rafa Sandoval is a fine artist and does a good job on this issue.  We don’t get to see him fully revealed in this issue, but that’s surely to come.  There’s also a suggestion that the Kent’s will have a role in this story.  Or, it’s an Easter Egg that will receive some sort of development.  However, it would not be hard to image this Superman working as a farm hand for the Kent’s until well…I won’t spoil that, but it is an interesting idea.

Negatives

Nothing really stands out, but this is one of those comics that will really depend on how much the reader is invested in an alternate take on Superman.  

Verdict

Absolute Superman #1 is the best of the first three Absolute titles.  From the original assignment, it gets it most right.  The changes to Superman’s lore fit with the idea of a universe influenced by Darkseid energy.  The changes feel organic as to how they come about due to other factors.  It’s a more cohesive effort overall all.  I don’t know that it’s enough to bring me back for a second issue, but this is the most well conceived effort of the Absolute Universe so far.  So while the score is 3.5/5 (7/10), it’s more like a 7.5/10.